Great article George, and very good news from one who is flying in from California!
You just saved me from bringing one of my two Gi's...
Thanks,
Paul
Thursday, July 31, 2008
More "History"
Interesting commentary. I've practiced in a scrub suit. Not unlike pajamas, in concept, and very light weight.
As far as belt ranking is concerned, my philosophy was never expressed more succinctly than by 'Mr. Myagi", in the "Karate Kid'.
"Canvas"
Whichever martial arts consultant to the production came up with that one, it could not have been more brilliant, or profound. Pity that philosophy is not more universal.
"May you live long and prosper"
Some day I hope to shake your hand.
Arne
As far as belt ranking is concerned, my philosophy was never expressed more succinctly than by 'Mr. Myagi", in the "Karate Kid'.
"Canvas"
Whichever martial arts consultant to the production came up with that one, it could not have been more brilliant, or profound. Pity that philosophy is not more universal.
"May you live long and prosper"
Some day I hope to shake your hand.
Arne
More "History"
George,
Great story on gi/training attire. I just arrived back from Okinawa (I work for the Navy/Marine Corps in support of H-53 aircraft) an can attest to hot hot and HUMID it gets (and I live in North Carolina), especially in July. One of most memorable scenes was at the historic RyuKyu Village (which the video displayed practitioners practicing Uechi) where the karate exhibit showed them working out in essentially thongs on the beach (I am guessing the footage was back in the 50's/60's).
On another note, like I stated above, I am in NC on the coast where there are no Uechi Dojos (I am near Cherry Point/Camp Lejeune). I did recieve my shodan under Jack Sommers back in 1988 prior to entering adult life/college/family career. While I studied some other martial arts (Shotokan/Wing Chun/Aikido/Judo) and have respect for them, my heart has always belonged to Uechi. while my body conditioning is not where it should be, I have practiced katas somewhat regularly. Would it be possible, and would you be kind enough to take an occasional look at some katas and provide feedback, if i email them. I am mostly concerned with the 3 advanced katas:seiryu, konchin, and sanseiryu.
Respectfully,
John
Great story on gi/training attire. I just arrived back from Okinawa (I work for the Navy/Marine Corps in support of H-53 aircraft) an can attest to hot hot and HUMID it gets (and I live in North Carolina), especially in July. One of most memorable scenes was at the historic RyuKyu Village (which the video displayed practitioners practicing Uechi) where the karate exhibit showed them working out in essentially thongs on the beach (I am guessing the footage was back in the 50's/60's).
On another note, like I stated above, I am in NC on the coast where there are no Uechi Dojos (I am near Cherry Point/Camp Lejeune). I did recieve my shodan under Jack Sommers back in 1988 prior to entering adult life/college/family career. While I studied some other martial arts (Shotokan/Wing Chun/Aikido/Judo) and have respect for them, my heart has always belonged to Uechi. while my body conditioning is not where it should be, I have practiced katas somewhat regularly. Would it be possible, and would you be kind enough to take an occasional look at some katas and provide feedback, if i email them. I am mostly concerned with the 3 advanced katas:seiryu, konchin, and sanseiryu.
Respectfully,
John
gi history
Hi Sensei Mattson,
I couldn't agree more with the heavyweight gi thing, i always wanted one...and a black one at that...what a mistake!!! hahaha
in my first dojo black belts were allowed to wear a black gi, and not until. you could wear black pants, but only white tops. they were heavy (the dan grade gi's..around 12 oz) because we grappled alot as well as striking. but i never got that far. but i finally got a VERY heavy black gi and it's the most horrid piece of clothing i've ever worn. not only is it too heavy (18 oz!!) ...you're right it's loud, and binding. it also makes you much hotter (especially black), and light/medium gi's allow better evaporation of sweat as well, so they are cool to the touch very often. imagine an 18 oz gi soaked with sweat...and you thought it was heavy before. on top of all of that, if you do get a heavy gi, make certain that it's not an "off brand"...mine is (kim pacific) and it's just horrible, no matter how often it's washed its thick and rigid..even chafing! but i know alot of people like the iron man uniform from century, as it is brushed cotton. personally as far as heavy gi's go...i greatly prefer judo/jujutsu type material, its quieter and more comfy. and i find that the knee pad helps guys with big legs with kicking because the leg doesn't bind. but i don't think a striking based art has much need for a heavy gi anyway.
I couldn't agree more with the heavyweight gi thing, i always wanted one...and a black one at that...what a mistake!!! hahaha
in my first dojo black belts were allowed to wear a black gi, and not until. you could wear black pants, but only white tops. they were heavy (the dan grade gi's..around 12 oz) because we grappled alot as well as striking. but i never got that far. but i finally got a VERY heavy black gi and it's the most horrid piece of clothing i've ever worn. not only is it too heavy (18 oz!!) ...you're right it's loud, and binding. it also makes you much hotter (especially black), and light/medium gi's allow better evaporation of sweat as well, so they are cool to the touch very often. imagine an 18 oz gi soaked with sweat...and you thought it was heavy before. on top of all of that, if you do get a heavy gi, make certain that it's not an "off brand"...mine is (kim pacific) and it's just horrible, no matter how often it's washed its thick and rigid..even chafing! but i know alot of people like the iron man uniform from century, as it is brushed cotton. personally as far as heavy gi's go...i greatly prefer judo/jujutsu type material, its quieter and more comfy. and i find that the knee pad helps guys with big legs with kicking because the leg doesn't bind. but i don't think a striking based art has much need for a heavy gi anyway.
More "History"
Hi George,
I read with interest your article about the karate gi and found it very interesting. I recently returned from a very hot humid Okinawa where that sweat towel was a must.
The koza dojo is being run by another Yonamine, young student of Yonamine sensei with the same name. The floor you spoke of as I remembered it from my last trip there in is now a rubber puzzle mat floor, blue and red... even in Okinawa modernization is catching up, unless it was to save on the toes.
Good luck on your 50th year and 25th year of summer camps. We wish you the best always.and many more to come.
Hello to Sue, and have a safe trip.
Steve
I read with interest your article about the karate gi and found it very interesting. I recently returned from a very hot humid Okinawa where that sweat towel was a must.
The koza dojo is being run by another Yonamine, young student of Yonamine sensei with the same name. The floor you spoke of as I remembered it from my last trip there in is now a rubber puzzle mat floor, blue and red... even in Okinawa modernization is catching up, unless it was to save on the toes.
Good luck on your 50th year and 25th year of summer camps. We wish you the best always.and many more to come.
Hello to Sue, and have a safe trip.
Steve
Uniform History feedback
This article received nearly 100 e-mail from readers! Wow... and I thought the heavy gi issue was something that few people cared about. Every one of the e-mail was similar to those I'm publishing. . . GEM
they do look cool don't they!
i never liked the change in feel. going from a gi...any gi. and then going to jeans. its so different. so sometimes i trian in jeans. those kickboxers, and tkd people are possibly in for a shock i think. what do you think of maybe having at least 1 or 2 days a month or something where everyone just wears what they would wear to work, or out on the town? (obviously no dresses or skirts for the ladies of course)...just to get a more realistic feel for how it feels to do their techniques in the clothes they are most likely to be wearing. i know when i was in taekwondo i split my fair share of jeans haha
Brad
they do look cool don't they!
i never liked the change in feel. going from a gi...any gi. and then going to jeans. its so different. so sometimes i trian in jeans. those kickboxers, and tkd people are possibly in for a shock i think. what do you think of maybe having at least 1 or 2 days a month or something where everyone just wears what they would wear to work, or out on the town? (obviously no dresses or skirts for the ladies of course)...just to get a more realistic feel for how it feels to do their techniques in the clothes they are most likely to be wearing. i know when i was in taekwondo i split my fair share of jeans haha
Brad
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